Fastener for automobile-chains, &amp;c.



J. FAUS, JR. FASTENEB'FOR AUTOMOBILE CHAINS, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1914.

1,127A23. v Patented Feb. 9, 1915 I E A6; Jaws -W fii aflf w By ya AOR/VEY JAGOB EA'US, JRQ, 0F BOULDER, GOLOEADO FASTENER FOB AUTOMOBILE-CHAINS, 8w. 7

Application died May 9, 191%. Serial No. 337,529.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, Jnooe Fans, Jr., a citizen. of the United States, residing at Boulder, in the county of Boulder and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fasteners for Automobile-Chains, &c., of which the following is a specification.

" The objects of the, present invention are to provide a simple and inexpensive fastener for automobile chains and devices of similar construction which will permit of readily fastening and unfastening the ends of the chain, which will be strong and compact in construction, and which will be in form and appearance similar to a compact and integral chain link.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more in detail in connection with the embodiments thereof illustrated on the accompanying drawings, it being intended and understood that the invention is illustrated by, but is not limited to, the embodiments therepf so illustrated and described.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows in perspective part of an automobile wheel with detachable chains thereon united by the fastener of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows in perspective the fastener of the present invention as used in uniting the ends of a chain or chains. Fig. 3 shows the fastener of Fig. 2 as it appears when open. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the fastener with the inner-hook member in elevation. Fig. 5 shows a central section of the fastener with a modified clamp; Fig. 6 shows in perspective a modified form of the outer casing. Fig. 7 shows in perspective a complete fastener embodying the modification, the fastener being shown in open position; and Fig. 8 shows in perspective the back of the casing of Figs. 2 and 3.

As illustrated'in Fi s. 1 to 4 the fastener is shown as made up 0 a central hook memher 1 and an outer casing 2 inclosing said hook member, said hook member and easing being adapted to be clamped together, in closed position by a screw 3 extendin through thecentral opening 4 of the hon member and the openings 5 and 14 of the casing, the openings 4 andid bemg'threaded to receive the screw 3. The hook member is providedwith ahook recess .6 formed by the main body portion of the hookinember and the 'end'portion 7 'fime easing 2 isprovided with ansponding cuti-away'portion and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

with projections 8 which cooperate with the end portion 7 of the hook to inclose the outer portion of said hook recess and leave the inner portion thereof free to receive a chain link 11. The fastener can be suitably at tached, either detachably or permanently, to

. a chain at one end. Such a chain of conventional form is-indicated at 9 and a suitable bolt or rivet 10 passes through the end of the link and one end of the fastener. The bolt or rivet 10 may be made detachable or pe:-' manently fastened to the chain and fastener, or made integral with the chain, as by weld ing. It will also be understood that otherf m kinds of chains can be suitably secured to one end of this fastener in a similar manner.-

or in any other suitable fmannen'as will be readily understood. Where it is desired to 7 use the fasteners of the present invention 0113 automobile chains it is advantageous that one end shouid be permanently rivetedorl otherwise suitably secured to one end of the chain, since not only is loss of the fastener thereby avoided, but the chain link, or therg bolt or rivet or other fastener of the chain or chain link, furnishes a pivot for the hook member and outerinclosing .casin of the fastener, such a pivot for one end 0 the fastener together with the hook at the other end 35 screw. The outer casing 2* is. shownas' provided with the projections 8 and with" the openings 12 the same as 'in Figs. 2 and ioo 3, but instead of iziaking holes 5 and-14. through both sides of the casing one'hoie only is made in ope side and a slot 13-is made in theother in which the screw 3 may work. The book member 1 is-siniilar 10:; in construction to that of Fi 2 and 4a,; and 'a. similar .screwthreads opening '4 is provided. ihe hole 14 in the c is i i' also" screw threaded so that when the screw .i'

.is tightenedit clamps both sides ofthe cas- 11o ing ainst-the .hook member as ivill' be readily's understood. Moreover .bymaking gefiectlvely' clam ed against. tne inner hook both the ho ok mernber'and ithe'hole lld in i the casing threads]. these threaded ortione when drawn'togei, erby the screw orm an effective lock for locking the screw, the same as two nuts when tightened on the same threadeilec tively lock each other. In the structure of Figs. 6 and 7 itis necessar to unscrew the screw, 3 only until the ole id is free in order to open the fasteners, the slot 13- permitting opening and closing of the fastener without complete-removal of the screw 3. .As a result. only a few turns of the screw arenecessaryv to loosen the ias tener or'to tighten it when desired, while thesides oi: the outer casin will still he member. In or or thatthisclamping action may be insured .it is advantageous that the enter c'asingbe made of resilient material such as sheet metal, the thickness of which meet course be varied as desired. It will .elso'be understood that the fastener can be, made of larger or smailer sizes as may be found necessary or convenient, and that the outer casing may also be made of rigid as well as of resilient material. Instead of using a screw for clamping theparts tothe fastener as shown in Fig. 1 and present.

smooth inner surface a smooth or relatively The fastener oi the to the vehicle "tire present invention canbe madeof wrought iron oar-masenterta suitab is material can-beigalvanizcd or otherwise suitably coatd 'ortreated to prevent rusting. it can moreovenbe made: at nan-rusting ma terial and is advantageously so made.

' The operation of the fastener oithe pres ent invention will be readily understood. from the foregoing description. (ihains' of any suitable "construction which it is desired to uniteby the fastener are attached at one end by means of a rivet or bolt or by a\welded link or. other {suitable means.

By opening the fastener as shown in Figs. 3 and 7-"the other end of the sarne chain or aalinlr of another chain can be inserted in the hook aftervvhich by closing the parts and tightening .the screw or other fastening means the fastener will be locked in closed o'sitionJ Even if the fastening screw or bolt'lbe lost, a temporary fastener such as a cotter pin vor piece of wiremay be used .to. lock-the parts together and preventopening of'the fastener' l. The outer casing is usuallyinade a loesefit so that it. may be memes the screw or other tightening means is tightened. lit will be seen that the outer casing conforms generally in shape to the shape of the wheel: member, both of these members being of substantially uniform Width throughout their length except where readily opened and closed but still clanierl and heid against the hook member w en rounded their ends and cut away to form the opening for the chain link.

it \viii be understood that the forin and proportions as well as the size andniateriai the A, iciiic embodiment of the invention illustrated and described can be varied, and that variations and modifications can be.

made herein without departing from the spirit a d scope of the invention asset forth in accompanying claims. ll' ciaim:

A device of he nature described compri inner hook member having a hook recess near one end, an outer casing of re silient material inclosing said hook member and closing the side of said recess, said hook member and casing being pivotally mounted near one end with respect to each other and being provided with intermediate openings adapted to aline with each other, and fasten ing means adapted to pass through said intermediate alined openings for fastening said casing and hook together and for clamping the resilient member to the hook.

2. Adevice of the nature described com prising an inner hook member having a hook recess near one end, an outer casing of resilient material inclosingsaid hook incinher and closing the side of said recess, said hook member and easing being pivotally I mounted near one end with respect to each other, and fastening means for fastening said casing and hook member together comprising a screw ada'ptedto pass through threaded openings in said member and cas-' ing and adapted to clamp the same together.

3. A device of the nature-descroed' comprising an inner hook member having a hook recess near one end, an outer casing inclosing said hook member and closing the side oi said recess, said hook member and easing being pivotally mounted near one end with respect toeach other, said hook member be ing provided'with a central threaded opening and said casing being provided on one side with a corresponding threaded opening and in the other with a central slot opening on one side, and a screw operable in said threaded openings of the hook member and casing and in said slot, said screw being adapted to clamp the casing and hook member together when tightened.

4. A device of he character described comprising a hook member having a hole in its central portion and. another hole in one end and having at its other end a hook recess extending irons the-center thereof-to one side, an outer casing inclosing said hook member made up of sheet metai and conforming generally in shape to the shape of the hook member and closing the side of said recess, said casing being provided near one end with holes alining with the hole in said hook member, and with intermediate openings in elinement with the intermediate opening in said hook member, and means adapted to extend through said intermediate openings for clamping the casing and hook member together.

-5. A device of the character described comprising a hook member having a threaded hole in its central portion and anothei hole in one end and having at its other end a hook recess extending from thecenter thereof to one side, an outer casing inclosing' said hook member made up of sheet metal and conforming generally in shape to the shape the opening in one side being a threaded hole, and a screw adapted to extend through said threaded holes in the hook member and casing and clamp the other side of the casing between the screw head and hook member, whereby the casing may be clamped in position relative to the hookmember and spreading of the casing may be prevented.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two itnesses.

JACK FAUS, JR. Witnesses:

Lewis G. ALLIsoN, J. DE KALB. 

